Tie-Down Strap with Braking System and Method

ABSTRACT

A lever latch/strap tie system that can include a screw-down lock mechanism that securely holds a brake plate against the strap. Generally, the strap-locking latch of the present invention has a latch frame that receives a strap so that the strap lies flat against at least a portion of the latch frame. A locking lever engages the strap and presses a portion of the strap against the latch frame. A screw-down knob, or other locking knob abuts a braking plate where the braking plate is positioned above the strap. When the screw-down knob is tightened, it securely clamps the strap between the braking plate and the latch frame. The brake plate can contain at least one insert which contacts said strap when the screw-down clamp is tightened. This can be a grommet or other insert. This increases the friction and further prevents slipping. The entire product including the latch and hook can be scalable to different size straps such as 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches and the like. A slitted hook can allow a pre-sewn strap to be inserted during assembly.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of The Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of tie-down systemsand more particularly to a tie-down strap braking system and method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tie down and securing systems using straps with latches are well-knownin the art. A common type of system has a lever handle that, whenrotated, presses down and grips a fabric strap. This type of system canbe found on straps for trailers, straps for dollies and lifts and innumerous other applications. Despite their wide-spread use, these priorart friction-locking systems have a major flaw: they tend to slip or tocome completely loose, sometimes resulting in complete loss of thestrapped item or load. The reason they slip is that they work on a leverprinciple where the long end of the lever forms the release and engagehandle with the small part of the lever compressing the fabric. Thesmall part of the handle generally has teeth and rides on the fabric ina clamped position. This may cause the lever to stick out where it canbe inadvertently bumped or pushed. Also, pulling one direction on thestrap generally causes the grip to tighten; unfortunately, pulling theother direction may cause it to loosen. If the lever is pushed the wrongway, or there is enough tension in the loosening direction, thespringiness of the fabric and the strap tension can cause the grip toloosen to where the strap begins to slip through the grip. This then maycause the grip to become even looser. Finally, the entire assembly candisengage.

It would be extremely advantageous to have a latch/strap tie system thatcould be locked down so that the latch lever cannot loosen or disengage,and, hence, the strap cannot slip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a strap tie-down braking system thatcan include a screw-down lock mechanism that securely holds a brakeplate against the strap. Generally, the strap-locking latch of thepresent invention has a latch frame that receives a strap so that thestrap lies flat against at least a portion of the latch frame. A lockinglever engages the strap and presses a portion of the strap against thelatch frame. A screw-down knob, or other locking knob abuts a brakingplate where the braking plate is positioned above the strap. When thescrew-down knob is tightened, it securely clamps the strap between thebraking plate and the latch frame. The brake plate can contain at leastone insert which contacts said strap when the screw-down clamp istightened. This can be a grommet or other insert. This increases thefriction and further prevents slipping. The product including hooks andlatches is scalable to different size strap material such as 1 inch, 1.5inch, 2 inch and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is now directed to several drawings that are presented to aidin understanding features of the present invention:

FIGS. 1A, 1B show embodiments of the present invention on two differentsize straps with different size latches.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of a locking latch/strap system.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of a strap system with sectioning marks.

FIG. 2B shows a sectional side view of a locking latch/strap system ofFIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B show a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a slitted hook.

Several drawings have been presented to illustrate the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what isshown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a way to assure that a latch/strap typetie or belt will not slip or disengage even under heavy loading,bumping, pushing, vibration, or even attempted opening of the latchlever. FIGS. 1A-1C show several different sized embodiments of thepresent invention. A strap 1 is attached on one end to a hook 2. Theother end 3 threads through a latch mechanism 4. A typical lever latch 5forms a handle for initial tightening. A second strap 9 runs out to asecond hook 2′. A locking knob 6 allows tightening of a brake plate 7down against the strap 3. The slightly elongated brake plate 7 securelyengages the strap 3 over an extended surface area. The knob 6 can beadapted to be moved up and down by being screwed along a threaded post 8to achieve leverage and achieve sufficient tightness of the brake 7against the strap 3 to prevent slipping under various loadingconditions. The locking knob 6 can also move upward and downward by anyother means. FIG. 1C particularly shows a close-up view of the brake 7and screw knob 6.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of one of the embodiments of FIG. 1 withsection marks. FIG. 2B is a sectional view based on the section marks inFIG. 2A. The lever arm 5 engages the strap 3 at a point 10 in a typicalway. The knob 6 screws down a vertical screw 8 that pushes the brakeplate 7 downward onto the strap 3. The surface area of the brake plate 7in contact with the strap 3 creates a sufficiently large frictional areato prevent any strap slipping as the strap 3 is clamped between thebrake plate 7 and the latch frame 4. The result is a tight clamp on thestrap that prevents slipping. FIG. 2B also shows that the brake plate 7can contain an inserts 11 that can be rivets or grommets that areadapted by being positioned to engage the strap and by protrudingoutward to enhance the clamping action of the brake 7 against the strap3.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a top view of an embodiment of the invention, whileFIGS. 4A-4B show a side view. The entire product including the latchwith brake and the hook can be scalable to different size strapsincluding 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, and any other strap size.

The latch and locking mechanism of the present invention can be madefrom metal, plastic or any other strong, rigid material. The straps canbe standard fabric straps or any other type of straps. FIG. 5 shows anembodiment of the invention where the hook 2 is be made with a slit 12that allows pre-sewing of the strap and later insertion into the hook.This is particularly advantageous for quick assembly.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One with skill in the art willrealize that numerous changes and variations can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes andvariations is within the scope of the present invention.

1. A method of locking a strap latch of the type with a lever armstrap-grip comprising: allowing a strap to be threaded though a lockinglatch frame; providing a locking knob movably attached to a latch frame,said locking knob abutting a plate member, said strap running betweensaid latch frame and said plate member; adapting said locking knob sothat it can depress said brake plate against the strap, clamping saidstrap to said latch frame.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said lockingknob is a screw-down knob.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said lockingknob travels up and down a threaded post.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein said brake plate contains at least one insert adapted to contactsaid strap.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said insert is a grommet.6. A strap securing latch system of the type with a pivoting latch leverarm having an extended first end and a toothed second end engaging astrap comprising: a latch frame; a locking knob cooperating with saidlatch frame and adapted to move toward and away from said strap, saidlocking knob abutting a brake plate member; said brake plate memberengaging said strap when said locking knob is caused to move toward saidstrap, said brake plate member clamping said strap between said brakeplate member and a portion of said latch frame.
 7. The strap securinglatch system of claim 6 wherein said locking knob is a screw-down knob.8. The strap securing latch system of claim 7 wherein said locking knobtravels up and down a threaded post, said threaded post attached to saidlatch frame.
 9. The strap securing latch system of claim 7 furthercomprising a slitted hook that allows a pre-sewn strap to be inserted.10. A strap locking latch system comprising: a latch frame adapted toreceive a strap wherein said strap lies flat against at least a portionof said latch frame; a locking lever engaging said strap and pressing aportion of said strap against said latch frame; a screw-down knobabutting a braking plate, said braking plate being positioned above saidstrap, wherein tightening said screw-down knob clamps said strap betweensaid braking plate and the latch frame.
 11. The strap locking latchsystem of claim 10 wherein said brake plate contains at least one insertwhich contacts said strap when said screw-down clamp is tightened. 12.The strap locking latch system of claim 10 wherein said insert is agrommet.
 13. The strap locking latch system of claim 10 furthercomprising at least one slitted hook that allows a pre-sewn strap to beinserted.